Sound reproducer



June 17 1924,

F. c. HINQKLEY SOUND REPRQDUCER Filed Dec. 22 1919 .5 Sheets-Sheet June 17 1924- F. C. HINCKLEY SOUND REPRODUCER Filed Dec. 22 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,w w mmm n June 17 1924.

F. C. HINCKLEY SOUND REPRODUCER Filed Dec. 22 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR I [I a/2k ffi'nalqy 9 f ATTORNEY Patented June 17, 1924.

um'rsn aserarsis YORK.

ATEN FRANK C. HINCKLEY, OF BRIDGEIBOR 'L, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BYME$N E.ASSIGNA MEN-TS, TO COL'Uld'BIA BII'ONOQRA'PH CQMPANY, INC A-CORPORATIQN 033 NEW .SOUND Rnrnonnonn.

To a-llzwhom it may con-cam Be zit .known that I, F ANK C. HIN a citizen of the United States, 'residing'at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and .5 State of Connecticut, ,have invented certain new and useful ,lflniprovelnents in Sound vReprodncers, of which the following is'a full, clear, and exact description. It is an objectbt'any invention to iniio prove sound reproducersby providinga nevi term of pivotal support for theso called stylus-bar of the .reproducer .andlby solar} ranging the support' that certain of the co operating parts thereofI shall'jalso function 1;; ashousing means forlthesamel 'llhe pivotal supportis such that it can be put under pi'essure-ivitliout theuse ofsprings alldWVlt-hout atthe' saine tinie materially, iffat all, increasing theflturning or rocking friction 2U on'the pivotal means. Thislatt er accounplishinent is particularly important sinceit insures'that little .or ,none of the sound energy is lost in overcoming frictional resistance in .or at the pivotal bearing; Other ,5 objects will appear in the elaiinsand the detailed description taken" in connection \viththe accompanying dra vingsin which Figure lis a 'plan'volpt'ace view of the reproducer with parts broken away 'and parts in dotted outline tol no're clearly SllQW the hidden construction;

Fig. 2 is a section, taken igl; l M l r Fig. 3 is antendelevation of t-he stylus bar bridge showing :the intermediate and terniinalknite edges as in the samefstraight line and in contact with their supports;

on line 1 22 "Figl lisia view exposing the bridge,'lI 1,-

Figs. 5 and 6 are sections, taken on {lines and.6 6, respectively, of Fig. 4'. Fig. 7 is a perspective ,view, sho ving in co1nplete- .assembly the various parts co nprising the invention.

'Like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views.

The casing'ot' the reproducer orsoundbox, includes ahead member lOjandinay be ofany suitableconfiguration or outline, lmtivhich is illustrated in the form of a ring having a peripheral diaphragm-surrounding portion. Itis provided with a pair of abutments or supports 11, 12 for supporting the terminal knife edges 13, 14 0f the bridge 1;}, to which latter suitably connected the,

knife edges 1 8 19 which are in substantially the 8 31118 straight line as the terminal knife edges. Forhol iling thebridge to its ter ninalsupports 11, Hand for puttingpress ure on the bridge, there is provideda pair of axially adjustable posts 20, 21, one for each of the intermediate knife edges18,'19. The posts are supported byla ledge 22 which, in the present instance,is flanged extension o t'a plate 23 reniovably secured to the headlO. For illustrative? purposes this plate is shoivnas beingthe front or face plate of the head, but, such showing is not to be taken asa limitation. "To theback' of the head is secured a plate 24: which with plate 23 functions to secure a diaphragm 25in the head. Back-plate 24 has'j a tubular ,projecting part 39 (see Fig. 2), having a bayonet lock, or other suitable connection, to attach the sound-box to the tone arinoi the phonograph. This part'has'atubular passage extending through it, and through back-plate 24;-the topflview of which is shown'by numeral 40, in 1. If found desirable the ledge 22 could be supported by, or be a prolongation of said back plate 24; It- Will also be appreciated that said ledge could Well be an integral or mechani calextension of'tlie head IOvvithout dep mfl' ing from the spirit of the invention. The

n ain desideratuin is that the ledge shall provide a comparatively rigid support for the posts 20, 21 to enable th'e latterto be held firmly against the intermediate knife edges, it "having been found that the reproducer functions more eliiciently when the bridge is under pressure... The pressure on' thebri'd 'e maybe varied by adjusting the posts in their seats or nuts 26, 27, lock nuts 28, 29 serving to secure the posts in adjustedposition. Of course, it is to be understood that the metal. or other resiliei' t naterial, of the front plate 23 is suchas to give 51- tlex at the bend of the ledge 22, when the bridge with its bearing members is put under pressure. When the posts are thus ad 'usted tobrin about this iressure condition, the ledge 22 will have sprung away from the extension of the back-piate 24, thus providing a space between the edges. By so disposing out of contact the free edge of the ledge 22, forming the supporting means or apron, and the adjacent edge of the closure means formed by the extension 30 of the back-plate 24, the setting up of sympathetic vibrations in the adjacent parts, and particularly from the ledge 22 to the extension 30 and back-plate 24, is prevented, thereby eliminating any interference with the sound transmitted. The back plate 24 has an extension 30, see Figs. 5, 6 and 7,

that closes the open side of the channel or trough Within which it will now be seen that the bridge is located. The bridge is thus'notonly effectively housed and pro tected against external injury but the housingimproves the appearance of the reproducer as a whole. 'It will be observed that the nuts 26, 27 are each as ,wide as the space between theside walls of the housing. This feature is advantageous in that rotation of the seats is prevented during the adjustment of the posts. The arm 16 has a boss 7 31 adapted to receive the thumb screw 32 that secures a stylus or needle 83, Fig. 1,

therein; and the arm 17 is suitably secured as at 34 to the diaphragm 25. The diaphragm is spaced from the plates 23, 24 by suitable cushion means as by rubber gaskets 35, 36 and. the plates are suitably secured to the head 10 as by screws 37, 38. The front plate 23 and the ledge 22 are suitably perforated to allow the arms 17 and 16 extending from the bridge 15 to func tion properly.

By-having the back-plate 24 removable, back-plates with different types of tone-arm attaching means may be emp loyed. In this way, provision is made for standardization of thesound-box for use on tone-arms of different makes of recording or reproducing machinesit simply being necessary to substitute, for one back-plate, another having a different form of attaching means. The

a head 10 is preferably made of case-hardenedsteel for not only is a better anvil for the terminal knife edges thus obtained, but also a maximum brilliancy of reproduction. It will be understood, of course, that while the specification describes the inventionfor use on a sound-reproducer, it may with equal efficiency be applied to a sound-recorder. Therefore, the claims refer to the use of the invention on a sound-box, and it is understood that this term refers to both a reproducer and a recorder.

The preferred form of the invention has been shown and described in detail but, if desired, various changes in the form and proportion of parts can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. V

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, and astylus-bar, of a bridge carried 'by the stylus-barfbearing means be tween the casing and bridge, a plate having a laterallyextending flange, said plate being secured to the casing with the lateral transverse edges of the flange free and nonresilient means carried by the laterally extending portion and meeting the bearing means whereby to put the bridge under pressure.

2. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, and a stylus-bar, of a bridge carried by the stylus-bar, bearing means for the bridge, supporting means secured to said casing and extending laterally beneath the bridge, the lateral transverse edges of said support-mg means be ng free, non-resilient means carried by the supporting means and having bearing with the bridge bearing with the bridge whereby to put the bridge under pressure.

4. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, and a StYlllS-bl-LOI a bridge carried by the stylus-bar, bearing means between the casing and the bridge, a coverplate secured to the casing, a ledge secured to said plate and extending laterally be- 7 neath the bridge, the ledge having free lateral transverse edges, and means carried by said ledge and having bearing with. the bridge whereby to put the bridge under pressure. 2

5. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, and a stylus-bar, of a bridge carried by the stylus-bar, bearing means between the casing and the bridge, a plate secured to said casing, a ledge secured to said plate and extending laterally beneath the bridge, the ledge having free lateral transverse edges, means carried by said ledge and having bearing with the bridge whereby to putthe bridge under pressure, and a second plate secured to said casing and having a closure means terminating adjacent said ledge.

6. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, and a stylus-bar, of a bridge car-' tween the casing and the bridge, a plate seeured to the easing, a ledge securetbto said plate and extending laterally beneath the bridge, the ledge having "free 'lateral transverse edges, said'plat'e havingan openingft-li'rotigh which" thequpper part or armof the stylus-bar passes, said ledge having an opening through which the 'lower end of the stylus barpasses, and means earriedby saiddedge and having bearing Witlrthe brid e;

disposed"Within'fthe housing, said bridge being supported [by "means including said lateral portion.

9. In a sonnd-box the combination with a easing, a st y' liis-bar, a bridge carried by the stylus-bar, a housing'comprising' side portions se'onredat the-"frontand rear sides of 'th'e o'asingand extending along the longitndinalsides o'fthe bridge, and a lateral I portion extending-beneath it, integrally formed along bn 'e longitudinal edge With relation to one of the side portions, and fre along its other longitudinal edge and its transverse 'edges,;the longitudinal edge of the 1 other side portionexte'ndin'g in jpro-x imity to said freellongitndinal' edgefof the lateral portion, andbearing mean's forthe bridge disposed-within the liotising, said bearing mea-ii'sbeing supported by;-said lat eral pOitibI I l 10. In asound-box, thecombination with a casingha'i' in'g a"pair o fbearing supports separated a gap, "a styli s banbi idge havi'ng it's "terminals 1 seated in said supports, hoiising means comprising-side portions extending-alongthe' sides'of'thegap and elosing it at'both' sides, and a lateral ledge portion supported by one of the side portions and. extendingbeneath the bridge into adjacent relation to the other sideportion," and means supported the'lateial portion projecting tipwa rdly into bearingrelation With the bridge' Y 11. Ina sound box, the combination with a head member having afpair 'of spaced abiitments, a stylus bar' bridge'havingbear i'ng means engaging said spaced abutments, other "bearing means, and removable diaphragm retaining means supported by said head member and ha'v'ing'a portion adapted to engage said other bearing means, to supportbridge. a

' '12. *In =a"- sound box the :eo nbination with a casing having a peripheral diaphragm-sur rounding portion, of a stylus lever extending in front 'of s'aid :portion iandva cross-bar Yearried-"by' saidrstylns 5163 61 and disposed beneath said portion, 5a Zpa'i-r of bearing2means interposed :between the-easing andxthe bar at its "upper side, 2 a pair? 1 of'rbearing means provided u'ponthe bariatdts loyver'side; and

at each side lot the enterandi intermediate the said upper bearing means, said casing halvingra resilientwprojeetion,and riieanscoap ried by saidf resilient projection engag in the hea ring means at the loiver'iside of the cross bar, and adapted '"tomaintain the bearing means at the upper:=side" in eIi-T Inasoundebox, the'combination with a casing ihavin'g a -periphral diaphragnb surrounding portion, of -a 1 stylus 1evertextending-inifront aofe'said pOrtiOnEja-nd erossbar "carried "by' said styles "leiier v and-" dis posed beneathsaid 'iportion; a a ar of"*f bieare ingsmeansint-erpose the bafl at itsinpper side, -a =pair+of bearing means' 'provided :upon" the b'arrat its lower side, at* each sideof the reenter and intei mediate thebeai ixig means a'trthe nppenside, said :casingihaving' a ilziterallftberyt portio'n, means engaging ithe bearing means handed by said laterally bent "portion at"-the"-"1o wer side of the cross-bar, and adapted to main tain Eit' inengagement i ivith "the" -bearings' at thippperfs'idmc c rbetieen 'thekcasingand 14. In a sonndboxeadiaphragm-carrying casing, a :needlaarm" support, remdvable means i'fOl holding'ta diaphragm in the cas ing "provided'vwith' a dep'ending apron, and bearing means disposed'ibetween -'th'e casi ng and" the apron *for" pivotally amounting the needle-"arm support, "the "diaphragm holding means a'da'pted'swlien i emoved' ."to ipermit dis en ragem-ent of'zthe needleann."

tion cooperating with the bea-ring-means at the lower side of the crossbar, bearing means at the :upper side of the-crossbar adapted to be maintained .in engagementiby said ilaterallyebent "portion, and a plate-secured to the casing and havingan extension terminating adjacent the laterally bent portion, to form therewith a housing for the bearing.

17. In a sound-box, the combination of a casing, a stylus bar, bearing means between the casing and the stylusbar, a cover member secured to the casing having a portion depending at-one side of the bearing means, and another portion bent laterally from. the depending portion and extending beneath the bearing means, and having a central opening through which the end of the stylus bar projects, and rigid adjustable means carried by said laterally bent portion and adapted to maintain the bearing in opera tive relation. V r

18. In a sound-box, the combination o1 a ring forming the side walls of a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm therein, a rear cover plate secured to the ring and adapted to sup port the diaphragm at its rear, a front cover lation.

for supporting the bearings plate secured to the ringand adapted-to re tain the diaphragm in the ring, a stylus bar connectedto the diaphragm, bearing means between the casing and the stylus bar, the front and rear cover plates having portions depending at each side of the bearing means, and a ledge portion bent laterally'from one of the depending portions into adjacent relation to the other and adapted to house and maintain the bearing means in operative re- 19. In a diaphragm-retaining ring'for a sound-box, a diaphragm-retaining portion adapted to'be secured to the casing of the sound-box, and an integral apron portion disposed at an angle to the retaining portion ofthe needle arm of the sound-box. v

20.;In a sound-box, a diaphragm-carrying casing, a needle-arm support, means f for holding a diaphragm in the casing and provided with a depending integral'apron, :and

hearing means disposed between the casing and the apron for pivotally'mounting the needle-arm support. i

21. A sound-box including a casing having an annularportion, 'a plate at one side of the annular portion having means to conmeet: to a tone-arm, a retaining ring on the other side of the annular portion, a diaphragm held in the annular p'ortion,.the

' diaphragm being exposed by the retaining ring, a ledge on the retaining ring,a stylusbar having a bridge pivoted at its ends against the annular portion, and an adjustable bearing member carried by .the ledge to pivotally mount the -bridge and put it under pressure; 7

"22. In a sound-box, a casing, a stylusbar, abridge carried by the stylus-bar bearing means between the casing and the bridge.

' a platesecured to the said casing,a ledge on said plate and extending laterally beripheral edge of the casing and the lateral;

portion andbeing supported by the latter.-

24. A sound-box including a casing, a stylus-bar, a bridge carried by the stylusbar, front and back portions on the casing, one having a lateral portion extending across the casing outwardly of its peripheral edge, said casing-having a recess, the bridge on the stylus-bar extending into the recess and pivoted on the. casing. adjustable posts operable through the lateral portion and engaging the bridge to hold' it in position for pivotal movement under tension, and a closing part at one side of'the bridgeand extending between the peripheral portion of the casing and the free edge of the lateral portion. r

25. Ina sound-box, the combination with a casing, a stylus-bar, a bridgecarried by the'stylus-bar, a back plate and a front plate secured to the casing, one having a lateral portion extending transversely across the bridge, a part extending inthe direction of theback 'plateadjacent to the lateral portion, and bearing means for the bridge between the lateral portion and the bridge. 26. In a sound-box, the combination with a casing, a stylus-'bar, a bridge carried by the stylus-bar, a back plate and a front plate secured, to the casing, the front plate having a lateral portion extendingbeneath the bridge, a closing part extending into adjacent relation with the lateral portion to form a housing, and bearing means for the bridge disposed within the housing.

27. In'combination, a diaphragm-enclosing member, a sidemember, a stylus-bar, and bearing members pivoting said stylus bar on the diaphragm-enclosing member, said side member being adapted to support and tension said stylus-bar in its bearings.

curing'member at the other side having a right. angularly extending zledge carrying said supporting means, i

29. A sound-box including a casing having a tone-arm attaching portion, a diaphragm held in the casing, a needle-arm connected to the diaphragm and having a bridge pivoted against the casing,ia spring tension plate forming part of the casing and extended beneath the bridge, and means carried by the plate to pivotally mount the bridge in line with the aforesaid pivot mounting, and to hold it tensionally seated at all times.

30. In a sound-box, a diaphragm-carrying casing, a needle-arm support, means for holding a diaphragm in the casing and provided with a bent apron, and bearing means disposed between the casing and the apron for pivotally mounting the needle-arm suport. p 31. In a sound-box, the combination of a casing comprising a ring portion and a back portion, a diaphragm mounted in the casing, cushion gasket rings Within the casing engaging the diaphragm above and below at its edges, a retaining ring secured to the ring portion and engaging the upper gasket under pressure to retain the diaphragm in place, the retaining ring having a clownwardly extending portion provided with laterally bent arms, and being spaced from the lower end of the casing, a stylus lever having a cross-bar disposed in the space between the casing and the arms, bearing means upon the casing. for the cross-bar, and bearing means upon the arms and engaging the cross-bar.

32. In a sound-box, a casing, a needle-bar, bearing means on the casing, bearing means A engaging the needle-bar and adapted to retain it in engagement with the bearing means of the casing, and a removable resilient diaphragm-retaining plate attached to-the casing and carrying the second-mentioned bearing means.

33. In a sound-box, a casing, a diaphragm, a stylus-bar having a pivot mounting on the casing, and an extension on the casing forining a relatively stifi spring to hold the stylus-bar on its pivot mounting, and cooperating with the casing to house said mounting.

34:. A sound-box comprising a casing and a needle-arm with cross-bar pivotally carried thereon, a diaphragm retaining member FRANK C. HIN'CKLEY. 

